ਚਮਚਾ
camcā/t͡ʃəm.t͡ʃäː/
The English word "spoon" is ਚਮਚਾ (camcā) in Punjabi.
ਚਮਚਾ is a noun used to describe a scooped utensil used for eating or serving food.
Meaning: scooped utensil for eating (or serving) (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as camcā (/tʃəm.tʃäː/). It consists of two syllables.
Did you know?
- In Punjabi, the word ਚਮਚਾ is used as a slang term for a 'sycophant' or a 'brown-noser'. It describes someone who acts like a tool for another person to get ahead.
- In traditional Punjabi culture, eating with a ਚਮਚਾ is often viewed as a modern or Westernized practice because the customary way to eat is using the fingers of the right hand.
- The Punjabi word ਚਮਚਾ is actually a linguistic traveler from the Turkic languages via Persian. It traces its roots back to the Proto-Turkic word *kamïč.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਚਮਚਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।mainu ik chamchā chāhidā hai.I need a spoon.
- ਚਮਚਾ ਮੇਜ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਦਿਓ।chamchā mez utte rakh dio.Put the spoon on the table.
Example conversation
Harman and Manpreet are in the kitchen.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚਮਚਾ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ?Manprīt, mainū chamachā kithē milēgā?Manpreet, where will I find a spoon?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਚਮਚਾ ਡਰਾਅਰ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਹੈ।Chamachā drā-ar dē andar hai.The spoon is inside the drawer.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮੈਂ ਦੇਖ ਲਿਆ।Dhannvād, main dēkh liā.Thanks, I see it.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ, ਹਰਮਨ।Kōī gall nahī̃, Harman.No problem, Harman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spoon” translations and entries ਚਮਚਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਚਮਚਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
